This was a crazy, unbelievable, historic occasion. The last time Queens Park
Rangers won at Chelsea in the top division Gloria Gaynor was No 1 with I
Will Survive.

It was in March 1979 and, whisper this around joyous Rs fans this morning, a good team containing Glenn Roeder, Stan Bowles, Paul Goddard and Gerry Francis still failed to survive, going down.

QPR are still five points adrift of safety but they have given themselves hope, not simply with the three points but with the disciplined, determined performance. They outwitted the champions of Europe. “Can we play you every week?’’ inquired the 2,800 visiting fans as the home sections of Stamford Bridge emptied speedily after the final whistle.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, who played at the Bridge from 2005 to 2008, struck the coolest of winners, his first league goal in 969 days, to engineer the most unlikely of results. It was a reminder of the Premier League’s frequent, absorbing unpredictability.

This was a win rooted in the game plan of Harry Redknapp, enjoying his first victory at the Bridge since March 1999, and his players’ commitment and sense of collectivity. QPR were unrecognisable from the side so shambolic when vanquished by Liverpool at Loftus Road on Sunday.

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Redknapp’s players gave everything, from the commanding Júlio César in goal to the redoubtable sentries Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen at centre-back through the combative Shaun Derry shielding the back four to the tireless Jamie Mackie out wide and, arguably most surprisingly, the lone frontrunner Adel Taarabt.

Not a natural target-man, Taarabt proved an intelligent, willing outlet, frequently concerning David Luiz in deep midfield and the two Chelsea centre-halves Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic. When Wright-Phillips arrived, for the hamstrung Junior Hoilett, QPR had another outlet and, 13 minutes from time, a match-winner.

A further influence was QPR’s support, who kept backing their team passionately. Ten minutes after the game finished, they were singing the praises of “Harry Redknapp” and, in an attempt to wind up the few remaining Chelsea punters, “Rafa Benítez”.

Chelsea fans will debate long and critically their interim first-team manager’s decision to start stars like Eden Hazard and particularly Juan Mata on the bench. Benítez argued afterwards that rotation was necessary to prevent tiredness creeping in. Yet Chelsea’s next Premier League test is not until Jan 12 (they have FA Cup and Capital One Cup duties before then). Benítez, in fairness, was not helped by Fernando Torres delivering one of his most anonymous performances. Demba Ba’s arrival will be timely.

Benítez had given a chance to the likes of Marko Marin, whose desire to make an impact took on a juddering significance after three minutes when he over-ran the ball and launched himself at Stéphane Mbia in an attempt to win it back. It was high, late and dangerous and demanded a red card. Lee Mason somehow deemed it worthy only of a yellow.

Chelsea’s changes inevitably affected their usual rhythm. They missed Mata’s guile and the trickery of Hazard until midway through the second half. The champions of Europe needed some more subtlety to break down the massed ranks of the ­Premier League’s bottom-placed side.

The first half was poor. With little football to sing about, Chelsea fans resorted to taunting their relegation-threatened neighbours with chants of “We’ll never play you again” and “Jose Bosingwa”, a salute to their former full-back who upset Redknapp by refusing to sit on the bench against Fulham on Dec 15.

Chelsea enjoyed fleeting moments of promise in an impoverished first half. David Luiz shot over. Oscar had a shot diverted to safety by Hill. A Marin cross was headed away by Fabio. The half continued to subside towards the break like a balloon deflating. Derry caught Marin, an act that did not perturb Mason. Ivanovic connected with a shot that startled a few in the upper tier of the Shed.

The fans were certainly emotionally engaged. When Ashley Cole emerged to warm up, QPR fans reminded him they had not forgotten the John Terry-Anton Ferdinand dispute. At half-time, the visiting contingent asked caustically as to the identity of the former Chelsea player being paraded around the pitch. “He won more ­medals at Chelsea than QPR have won in their history,’’ declared the Bridge announcer of Marvin Hinton.

The second half was an improvement. It had to be. Chelsea seemed briefly sharper. When Marin crossed, Victor Moses somehow failed from five yards. Ivanovic headed a corner over. César then made a magnificent save from Torres from eight yards.

QPR threatened on the counter. Esteban Granero’s curling shot was held by Ross Turnbull, deputising for the injured Petr Cech. Gary Cahill executed a sliding tackle to nick the ball from the feet of the bustling Mackie, who was through on goal.

Benítez sent on Hazard and then Mata but the substitute who decided matters was already on. Wright-Phillips was to strike. When Chelsea failed to clear properly, Taarabt took control. The Moroccan could have tried one of his little jinking runs, nipping into the box. Instead, he calmly and selflessly rolled the ball right to Wright-Phillips who scored with a fine low strike from 20 yards.

As the seconds ticked away, QPR fans beseeched their team to hold on.

With four minutes remaining, Ivanovic was fouled by Hill just outside the area. QPR’s wall was so big it almost needed planning permission.

Luiz could not find a way through the nine-man barricade. QPR stood firm. They need such resolve and discipline again and again now.